Fig, apple and walnut loaf

Fig, apple and walnut loaf

Enjoy a guilt-free sweet treat with this heart-healthy fig, apple and walnut loaf.

Cook: 50 mins
Makes a medium round loaf

Fig, apple and walnut loaf

Just because you're watching your cholesterol doesn't mean you can't enjoy a sweet treat. This fig, apple and walnut loaf loaf uses porridge oats and fruit to create a tasty low-fat snack with no added sugar.

You will need a cake tin with a 20cm diameter, lined with baking parchment, although you can make this recipe in any shape. For small buns, use a silicone muffin tray with 12 x 7cm diameter moulds (no need to line or grease) and reduce the cooking time by 10 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 250g (1 cup) apple purée/applesauce
  • 250g (1 cup) Natural yogurt (dairy or plant-based)
  • 150g Dried figs (1 cup after chopping)
  • 150g (1 cup) Walnuts
  • ¼ tsp Salt
  • 200g (2 packed cups) Porridge oats
  • 2 tsp Baking powder
  • 2 Fresh figs (Optional topping)

Method

  • Step 1

    Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F).

  • Step 2

    Roughly chop the walnuts and tip into the cake tin. Toast in the warming oven for 5-10 minutes until slightly browned (set a timer – burned nuts are so disappointing).

  • Step 3

    Chop the figs into 1-2 cm (ca. ½ inch) pieces (easier with scissors than a knife).

  • Step 4

    Mix all the ingredients except the fresh figs; stir to combine.

  • Step 5

    Spoon into the lined tin; smooth the top.

  • Step 6

    Thinly slice the figs and press down gently onto the surface of the cake.

  • Step 7

    Bake 45-50 minutes until firm on top.

  • Step 8

    Slice and eat warm, or refrigerate and consume within 3 days.

Recipes from Oat to Joy: Recipes & Somewhat of an Oatobiography by Emma Pooley, world champion and Olympic medal cyclist. Available to purchase for £23.85 from amazon.co.uk. Image by Jamie Watson.

This website is owned and published by Our Media Ltd. www.ourmedia.co.uk
© Our Media 2025